This was OK. The protagonist, semi-retired librarian Charlie Harris, has a Maine coon cat, which is a nice touch. He takes the cat pretty much everywhere with him, a including work, walking him on a leash. This mystery involves present-day consequences from poor choices made in the past (everyone likely can relate to that!). A best-selling author who is a native of Athena, Miss., where the series is set, comes to town. He's a jerk, numerous people really don't like him because he's ruined their lives, and then he's murdered. This is the first book in a series called "The Cat in the Stacks." Gotta have a hook these days. The characterizations and plotting are good. I just wasn't very engaged with Charlie; he was OK, but I'm not sure I'd bother to read another of this series given all the books on my too-read list. Maybe if the Maine coon had a crucial role.... This story centers on Charlie Harris, a 50-something, courtly librarian, and Diesel, his rescued Maine coon cat. One of Charlie’s childhood tormentors has become a famous author (or is he?) and comes back to the small town of Athena, Mississippi to gift the university where Charlie works with his “papers”. Turns out Charlie wasn’t the only one he tormented. Somebody takes revenge, the guy winds up dead and Charlie feels an obligation to investigate.This is a quiet, cozy, enjoyable mystery, reminiscent of an Agatha Christy novel. No car chases or explosions here, just good old fashioned curiosity and stringing things together. The characters are interesting, particularly the young, female, angry African American police detective, who is also the daughter of Charlie’s housekeeper. Charlie doesn’t do stupid things, which I appreciate, and keeps the detective in the loop, whether she wants to hear from him or not. I was particularly taken with the descriptions of Diesel. Some reviews I read complained reviewers felt misled by the cat not solving the mystery, or at least being more involved in the mystery. This is not that kind of book (if that’s what you’re looking for, try Lillian Jackson Braun’s “Cat Who” series, or the Rita Mae Brown/Sneaky Pie Brown series). Diesel is more Charlie’s bridge to society - Charlie may have rescued Diesel, but it’s Diesel who’s rescuing Charlie from the grief over his wife’s death and getting him back into society. I borrowed several of these from a friend. Would I buy this myself? Maybe. Would I keep it to reread? No. But it was a sweet, entertaining read over a long weekend, and I liked it enough to want to read more in the series.
What do You think about Murder Past Due (2010)?
Loved the pace and the fatherly but normal librarian
—Mido
